Count Viva

Rachel Barnes
Foundation Computers

The article, “The Ecstasy of Influence”, is about how creative individuals are inspired by writing, music, film and art that were produced before them and how they incorporate some of these earlier ideas into their own works. Writers have transferred quotes and concepts of other authors into their literature, artists have collaged other pieces of arts to make their own image and musicians have duplicated and alluded to other musician’s music. The dilemma is whether it is acceptable for artist to use other people’s work if the work they create is strong and unique enough to stand alone.
As a student in art school, I think that it is not only acceptable, but encouraged for students to simulate techniques and concepts of other artist. By studying the masters, we gain valuable knowledge of how to improve our own artistic growth. When it comes to writing, direct quotes and ideas should by cited, but being inspired by ideas in great novels and creating one’s own unique literature is credible. However, an atrocious example of musical copying is Vanilla Ice’s blatant plagiarism of Queen and David Bowie. When “Ice Ice Baby,” plays, it is often mistaken for “Under Pressure,” which is extremely annoying.
There is nothing wrong with being inspired by and working off of another artist’s work as long as their concept and craft aren’t blatantly stolen. This is because new ideas are often generated by old ones. It is just very important not to cross the line between influence and piracy.